Former priest William Casey wants abuse conviction overturned

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

photo Rev. William Casey is seen in this file photo.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A former Catholic priest convicted of molesting an altar boy is asking the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals to overturn the conviction, claiming the victim waited too long to report the crime.

William Casey was sentenced to 35-40 years in prison in 2011 after a jury found him guilty of criminal sexual misconduct and aggravated rape.

Casey was accused of molesting Warren Tucker in the 1970s when Tucker was 13 and 14 years old and an altar boy at St. Dominic's Catholic Church in Kingsport. Tucker went public with his claims.

On Tuesday, Casey's attorneys argued that the 30-year delay prejudiced the defense. It likely will be months before the court rules.

Casey has pleaded guilty to similar charges in North Carolina and faces prosecution on sex charges in Virginia. Casey served at Sts Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Chattanooga from 1969 to 1972. No victims are know to have come forward from Chattanooga.